PHOENIX, Ariz. — New Mexico attempted another late rally, but again fell short, losing to No. 27 Arizona State 7-4 and dropping its first back-to-back games since March 6 and 8 against Dallas Baptist and New Mexico State. It also marks UNM’s first series loss since March 4-6 against Dallas Baptist, and just the second of the year.
UNM found themselves down 5-0 after a two-run third for ASU, and then a three-run fourth. ASU went up 1-0 on a Ryan Lillard single, and then a double steal which included a theft of home. In the fourth, ASU caught a break when Daniel Williams was called safe on a sacrifice attempt that UNM head coach Ray Birmingham argued to no avail. ASU got a run on a single, but with two out and UNM seemingly out of the inning, a two-run single by Colby Woodmansee made it 5-0 Arizona State, and that would be all they would need.
However, while ASU pitching kept UNM in check for six innings, it didn’t last. The Lobos got on the board when Jared Mang singled and went to second on a double by Andrew Pratt. Dalton Bowers then lined a single to make it 5-1 in the fifth.
ASU got that run back in the bottom half before UNM made it 6-2 as Chris DeVito crushed a solo shot on the first pitch of the 8th for his 12th home run of the season.
Again, ASU answered to make it 7-2 entering the ninth, and again UNM rallied. Pratt, who was robbed of two doubles earlier in his first two at bats, hit his second double of the game to open the ninth. After back-to-back strikeouts, Jared Holley singled Pratt to third, and he then stole second. Chris DeVito then hit a short pop-up to left that left fielder Daniel Williams made a sliding effort for, but the ball ticked off his glove to a tough error, allowing two runs to score, making it 7-4. However, with the tying run on deck, Carl Stajduhar struck out to end the game.
The loss dropped UNM to 30-15, while Arizona State improved to 25-15.
NOTES: The finale will feature lefties Zach Dixon for ASU and Colton Thomson for UNM … Duree passed Joe Coleman with his 76th appearance … Jack Zoellner was given the day off as Carl Stajduhar started his second game of the season at first … Jared Holley returned after serving a one-game suspension after getting ejected against San Diego State when he yelled at his teammate and was thrown out … Jacob Nelson allowed his first run of the season.
Lobos Drop Second Straight to ASU, 7-4
